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Dear Colleagues,
As Conference Chair for 2009, I'd like to send warm greetings to all of you in this New Year while projecting a bit to consider our future conference theme. In 2009, NECTFL will explore the many definitions of communities - communities of practice, communities of belonging, communities of interest, learning communities, online communities, language and cultural communities and, of course, the Fifth C of the National Foreign Language Standards. This standard encourages educators to prepare students to "participate in multilingual communities at home and around the world." By providing our students with opportunities to use their language in real-world contexts, we enable the kind of meaningful communication that results in building new relationships and promoting intercultural awareness. When we focus on real communication, we elevate the status of language education from a purely academic discipline to an essential tool for dialogue with people all over the globe.
Early planning for this conference includes a global fair that will feature organizations that deal with the issues that are truly important to our students and to the very future of our planet such as the environment, sustainable development, social justice, and fair trade. With the help of our global fair organizations, we will look for ways for our students to interact directly with their communities, be it through service learning, study abroad, conversation exchange or volunteer opportunities where the target language will be used.
We will have our ever-popular Exhibit Halls where attendees can find the materials to make their classrooms reflect the cultures of the languages that we teach. Technology and media exhibitors will help us find new ways to connect with the world, while artisans, publishers and other vendors will offer materials that reflect our theme along with the "tried and true".
We also welcome you to discover the many vibrant communities available to us in New York City, as the conference returns once more to the Marriott Marquis Hotel in Times Square. Target language immersion experiences abound in the neighborhood, whether you roam to the nearby Little Brazil or venture out to Chinatown, Little Italy or other international neighborhoods.
Please consider proposing a workshop or concurrent session on such topics as extending the classroom through real world use of languages, language immersion, contact with peers across borders: e-pals/keypals, online tutoring, language exchange, guest speakers, study abroad for teachers and students, social networking on an international basis, content-based sessions focused on the conference theme and best practices on reaching the Communities standard. Conference proposals are due on May 15, 2008, so submit your proposal today.
On behalf of the NECTFL board I encourage you to join us in New York City for a conference that promises to be an exciting opportunity for professional development, discovery and networking. I look forward to greeting all of you in 2009.
Sincerely,
Laura Franklin
Northern Virginia Community College
E-mail us at nectfl@dickinson.edu if you wish further information.
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